Keipos’ mission is centered around food, farming and especially education. We believe that growing, eating, and giving together fosters lasting and impactful connections among people from anywhere and everywhere. Our programs with youth and at-risk youth are crucially important for building connections and having a positive impact on a child or teens’ future.

At the Patrick J Thomas JJC (Juvenile Justice Center), we run weekly programming to work with at-risk youth in growing their own food, cooking, and eating together all while acting as mentors. Not all teens are willing to interact at first or even after extended periods of time. Many have come from broken families, have barely ever had a family meal, faced extremely difficult circumstances or have reached their wits end. Although not all of the youth open up, many begin to look forward to Keipos coming to grow food with them, cook, eat and talk and eventually they tell their stories and open their hearts. It is in moments like these that we encourage, build up and talk around difficult life subjects like forgiveness, pain, self-worth, and identity, and do what we can to be mentors.

Stories such as these are one example of the impact of using food, farming and education to transform lives and the connection it can cultivate. We ask that you donate today during Omaha Gives! to support our efforts and help us continue to have a positive and lasting impact.